For Africa’s richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija, this isn’t the best of times.
First, she is said to be battling a health challenge with her eyes. Then, the Apostle who is also the CEO of Famfa Oil has allegedly separated from her husband, Mr Modupe Alakija.
She is well over 70 years and a grandmother. For one who has always leaned on her husband for support (according to her in several interviews) this must be a big blow.
According to very reliable sources close to THEWILL, the mother of four who is also Nigeria’s wealthiest woman, has allegedly separated from her husband, Modupe and there are no hopes of reconciliation.
The couple got married in 1976
The couple were alleged to have been having frequent squabbles which allegedly necessitated the wealthy woman to demand utmost privacy in her home. He was forced to seek accommodation elsewhere. He allegedly lives alone within the same Ikoyi neighbourhood.
Calls and text messages to him seeking clarification went unanswered.
Sources reveal that it has not all been smooth sailing for the couple these past few years and they have allegedly been forced to put up a united front because of their status in the society. This latest development is coming barely five months after THEWILL exclusively reported that the former fashion designer and founder of FAMFA Oil Limited, an Oil and gas exploration business has allegedly been battling some health challenges particularly with her eyes. Family and friends tried as much as they could to put a lid on it just as they tried to with her current marital status.
Her health challenge became more pronounced when one of her sons tied the knot early last year and very unlike the Alakijas of old, there was little or no noise about the marriage ceremony. During the wedding, the media was tactically controlled, photographers were not allowed to take pictures arbitrarily and anyone found doing so was asked to delete them.
The planning of the wedding was on a need-to-know basis and guests who got the invitations were well scrutinized.